We often score six, but we seldom score ten. Those words are sung home and away by United fans, and they are absolutely right. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Ipswich were hit for nine, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest eight, Blackburn and Barnsley seven. On the odd occasion where United were in the mood, teams got blown away. It was part of the 'United Way', taking the game to their opponents and when everything clicked then the opposition took a hiding. Now, the suggestion is that United have ripped up those beliefs under Louis van Gaal and have become a pragmatic, unadventurous team. Hard to argue right now.
Over five hours without a goal, and despite van Gaal trying to paint a different picture, very few chances have come as United failed to find the net in three consecutive games. United have had opportunites but the amount of clear cut chances, created by United players, are rarities. Paul Scholes criticised van Gaal this week and even said he would not like to play in this United team. Again, van Gaal's riposte tried to mask the obvious and convince everyone that United are taking risks but he may well be watching a different game to the majority.
United have been here before under Sir Alex
Before you suggest that United's traditions have been discarded and are never to return, then as with everything it is probably a good thing to try and gain some perspective. The last time United went three successive games ending 0-0 was January 2005. United were of course managed by Sir Alex, and as far as the memory can support things, the great man never changed his outlook for those particular three games and go all negative. The games were Tottenham at home, Chelsea away and sandwiched in between was a draw with Exeter in the FA Cup using a lot of younger players. So maybe they can be excused a lack of goals, but the 2004-05 season included 15 games where United failed to find the net.
United's approach hadn't changed, but the difference at that precise period of time was that they were not particularly good. Or at least not good enough to challenge for the title. Yet even a squad containing the likes of Eric Djemba-Djemba, Alan Smith, David Bellion and Liam Miller still finished third in the league, albeit 18 points adrift of Chelsea who were champions. This was a transitional United team, but the manager continued with the attacking instincts, and they still had the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy and the young pair of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo so they were hardly shorn of top talent.
Never say die - the United way?
We cannot be sure that there is a 'United way' as such, but the fans have always loved a winger and from George Best through to Ryan Giggs there have been some special players to grace the flanks and fans love nothing more than seeing a player beat a full back and drive at a defence. It is more than that though, it is risk taking and that is something that appears to be the biggest difference between the Sir Alex and van Gaal teams right now. If there is one game that epitomises the 'United way' then you can go back to January 1st, 1989. Forget about the quality of United's successful teams, or the present day line up, at that time United had superstars, but certainly not the quality to win anything.
They lined up against the League Champions and great rivals, Liverpool, and in the days before all seating stadiums the atmosphere was electric. There was always a sense of nervousness mixed with excitement when Liverpool came to town. Putting one over your great rivals had no better feeling, but defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. With 70 minutes gone and the score 0-0, John Barnes picked the ball up in the left channel and at that moment in time a sense of fear presided. When Barnes fired a right footed shot it deflected and looped into the far corner there was silence on three sides of the ground, and a sea of activity as the scousers went mad behind that goal.
Liverpool were masters at closing a game out, so what happened next was unexpected, yet summed up what United are all about. Caution was thrown to the wind, and United just took the game to Liverpool. There was no 'keep playing as we are and we can get back in this' type attitude, they just never allowed Liverpool to settle. Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes were at the heart of most things, and within a minute United had leveled as Brian McClair volleyed in a Russell Beardsmore cross. McClair picked the ball out of the net and the team ran back to the half way line. No thoughts of calming the game down, they were going for the jugular. The crowd was absolutely rampant.
Five minutes after going behind they were in front, as Hughes bludgeoned his way through the defence and smashed the ball in, and just a few minutes later Beardsmore volleyed in a third. There were probably better atmospheres at certain times, but there couldn't have been too many. Any United fan lucky enough to be in the ground that day will remember the game with such giddy pride, that United never lay down and when faced with defeat weren't prepared to accept it. Bodies were thrown forward, there was no real shape it was just 'get into 'em' and wonderful to watch. If you could bottle it, then that would be the 'United way' and fans would pay a fortune to experience it nowadays.
Fans still happy without a trophy
Many United fans remember the season spent in the old Division 2 in the 70's and remember it as a halcyon period, playing flamboyant care free football under the enigmatic Tommy Docherty. It is hard to contemplate fans being happier with a team outside of the top flight than they are with a team four points of the top of the Premier League, but that is how some United fans will feel right now. Back to reality, because those days are gone.
David Moyes tried to uphold United's tradition, playing 4-4-2 with wide men, but ultimately he never seemed to instill the risk taking in the players and a few games petered out with United drawing or losing. Had he been able to be more successful in the transfer market, some extra quality may have brought more dividends. But missing out on a Champions League place and ending the season without a trophy put paid to him. Maybe his terrible record in big games was another consideration, but the board obviously felt they needed someone who knew how to win titles.
United knew what van Gaal was about
From the minute they appointed van Gaal, then United's style of play would change. The players would have to change. His methodical, disciplined approach hasn't bore fruit just yet but there are still some positives to be gleaned from his time in charge. His record in big games, prior to the Arsenal defeat, was excellent and despite United's lack of threat they are defensively the best team in the league right now. They are four points off the top, but there are huge concerns not just now, but when he eventually leaves the position as manager. The Dutch national team finished third in the World Cup, embracing his tactics. Just over a year on, the players were given more licence to play and crashed out of the European Championship qualifiers.
The current United sqaud has plenty of quality, but it is the attacking areas where things are just not right. Depsite having creative, talented footballers, there is a problem up front. Even if the potential genius Anthony Martial plays through the middle, he needs to be managed in terms of playing time, there is not much else in the way of options. Van Gaal's system requires a special talent to play as the centre forward - something United are in short supply of. Even a new man at the helm may struggle to change that without adding at least one top quality striker.
If van Gaal can lead United to a title of any sorts, and the League Cup has already gone begging, then the current football being served up will be tolerated, if not appreciated. If not, then the newly coined chant of "We're Man. United, we want to attack" may well be heard at a football ground near you in the very near future. For United fans, voicing their opinion is also the United way.